Video: NJ police investigate officer's scuffle with woman

The video shows the officer apparently hitting a woman on a sidewalk outside a club after she grabs him

By James Queally
The New Jersey Star-Ledger

ELIZABETH, N.J. — The Elizabeth Police Department has launched an internal investigation into a 20-second YouTube clip that appears to show a city police officer winding up and punching a woman in the face outside of a nightclub, officials said.

Kelly Vence, the city's public information officer, confirmed the internal probe this morning, but declined to comment further on the matter. The officer involved has not been identified, but Vence said he remains on active duty.

The video, posted on March 3 and titled "Woman punched in the face by cop during brawl at club envy NJ," shows a group of people who are scuffling on a darkened street. A police officer emerges from the group about the same time as a man who is wiping his face. When the officer spots the man he approaches him, grabs him and forces him to the sidewalk.